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De-stress: Keep it simple and healthy

Is it possible to eat healthy under stress?

With a busy schedule mixed in with work and life stresses, healthy eating can sometimes get put on the back burner. The importance of healthy food choices to detour chronic disease and eating healthy can be accomplished while living a chaotic life. Here are some tips from Michigan State University Extension on eating healthy while busy:

Buy vegetables that are easy to prepare. Pick up pre-washed bags of salad greens and add baby carrots or grape tomatoes for a salad in minutes. Buy packages of veggies such as baby carrots or celery sticks for quick snacks.

Use a microwave to quickly “zap” vegetables. White or sweet potatoes can be baked quickly this way.

Keep a bowl of whole fruit on the table, counter or in the refrigerator.

Popcorn, a whole grain, can be a healthy snack with little or no added salt and butter.

Freeze leftover cooked brown rice, bulgur or barley. Heat and serve it later as a quick side dish.

Consider convenience when shopping. Buy pre-cut packages of fruit (such as melon or pineapple chunks) for a healthy snack in seconds. Choose packaged fruits that do not have added sugars.

Dried fruits also make a great snack. They are easy to carry and store well. Because they are dried, a one-quarter cup is equivalent to a half-cup of other fruits.

Buy fruits that are dried, frozen and canned (in water or juice) as well as fresh, so that you always have a supply on hand.

With the above tips and menu planning, a healthy lifestyle can become an everyday part of a healthy life mixed in with daily physical activity.

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